Final Senate survey: It’s the GOP’s to lose

Politico reports:

It’s the GOP’s to lose.

In the waning days of Election 2014, key Senate races that had been razor-close affairs for months have moved toward Republicans — from the open seats of Iowa and Georgia to challenges to incumbents in Arkansas and Alaska. Kentucky appeared to move off the map with Mitch McConnell — poised to replace Harry Reid as majority leader next year — opening a decisive lead.

Democrats still have a path to hold on. Republicans could lose Kansas and Georgia — which would mean they’d need to net eight seats elsewhere instead of six, a tall task. And the GOP needs to achieve a feat that has eluded the party since 1980: toppling more than two sitting senators in a single election.

But the national atmosphere, namely President Barack Obama’s unpopularity, may be more than Democrats’ historic investment in turnout can overcome.

Republicans are certain to pick up open seats in the red states of Montana, South Dakota and West Virginia. They need to net three more to get the majority.

Arkansas looks likely to fall to Republican Rep. Tom Cotton. Louisiana is a likely GOP pickup, but it’s expected to go to a December runoff.

November to remember.